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How-To Geek

Enabling remote desktop mode is extremely easy on Ubuntu since Dapper. You can allow other users to access your desktop using the VNC Viewer utility that is bundled with Ubuntu, or offered as a free download for Windows.

Note that enabling remote control of your desktop is never a safe thing to do unless you have a firewall installed and configured correctly, and even then is still a potential security problem. Now that you’ve been warned of the risks, let’s move on.

Navigate to the System \ Preferences \ Remote Desktop on the Gnome top menu.

You’ll see this window:

The first two checkboxes need to be checked in order for remote desktop to be enabled.

The Security section is important: If you select the “Ask you for confirmation” code, then you will need to be at the computer in order to allow the other person to access your desktop. If you are trying to remotely access one of your own computers, you will want to uncheck this box.

The second checkbox should always be checked, and you should enter a secure password. You will be prompted for this password when you try to log on.

TBH, not a very good tut – actually, quite dissapointing. I was looking for something more along the lines of showing you how to initiate a remote desktop connection, an explanation of the vncviewer host:port command, secure it through ssh etc, use the terminal to do remote admin work.

What you have described is just a 2 minute scout around the desktop and a bit common sense. I hope you elaborate more on this cos I really like this site, just a bit let down by this article

Great explanation… I had figured this part out at least… This only works for me when I have already logged into the pc. If I just power it on and it is at the initial login screen I can’t connect. What are my options there?
Thanks for all your help.

I gotta agree with the one person who asked why it was so slow… it is INCREDIBLY slow – unbelievably so. I’m on LAN and it should not be this slow. VNC to a win2k box is snappy and quick – but to uBuntu it feels like I’m on a 2400bps modem!

I’ve tried all the options in TightVNC Client, and nothing helps. I can’t believe they consider this production quality software.

I have a clean recent install of Hardy Heron Server on one box on which I then installed the gnome desktop from the server command line, enabled remote desktop using this very tutorial, and am able to use it from both a windows xp box or other ubuntu box through VNC very quickly, Its possible that there is a firewall problem o such thing for those with sluggish VNC conexiones. I did have a few problems with Hardy Heron desktop install with enabling servicios, so I prefer to install server then add the desktop with sudo apt-get install desktop after the server is loaded and booting..

I have question related to the topic discussed here.
When I try to ssh to my ubuntu desktop, the request is “always” denied by the computer.
Previously I used fedora core OS, I did’nt have this problem at all.
I am wondering if you have any comments on this?

It works very well. I get connections between windows and ubuntu 9.04.
Only one thing: reconnection is mostly unsuccessful after closed first connection…
Do I have to do some vncserver -kill on the ubuntu side after deconnecting?

I have tried to implement remote using all the common methods since Hardy. Too slow, too unreliable, too complex.

I do this all the time on Windows Remote Assistance with few problems.

I have been using Teamviewer Linux beta on Lucid and it is fast, consistent, and does all major platforms.
Now I can support users on Macs, Win, Ubuntu in any combination from any of my OS machines.
Just like Firefox, it goes on every machine I configure.

Give it a try, your wishes will be answered.

I am not affiliated with them. I just think they deserve their hard earned recognition.
Can’t wait for a Android App so I can do support on the road.

Quick question, does anyone know how to pop up a program on a remote computer while someone else is using the computer on ubuntu. I can get control but the other person has control as well. Is there any way you can disable their control while you take control of the desktop? or by using a termial window start a program on their computer through SSH or something like that?

GEEK TRIVIA

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